March 20 2020

COVID-19 Update - March 20, 2020

COVID-19 Update – March 20, 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Attention travelers returning from an international location:
Governor Bullock has issued a self-quarantine order for 14 days after your return. Please notify your health department. If you're a Gallatin County resident you can contact the health department at 406-548-0123 at your earliest convenience.

Additional Airport Information Regarding COVID-19

We know that our passengers have questions about how COVID-19 is impacting the airport and what the airport is doing to help protect passengers. The safety and well-being of our passengers and employees is our number-one priority. In an effort to ensure that passengers feel comfortable while traveling, BZN has made several proactive enhancements to our facility and our cleaning procedures. Below is information on what the airport is doing, travel impacts and operational impacts.

Passenger Health Screenings:
BZN is not one of the airports being screened by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. It is important to remember that there are no commercial international arrivals arriving at BZN. International passengers arriving at BZN coming from restricted countries are screened at one of the entry airports by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Social Distancing in the TSA Line:
Working with TSA, we have made some adjustments to the lines as you approach the security checkpoints to provide more space between lines of passengers. In order to provide additional space between the passengers in front of you and behind you, we ask everyone to practice social distancing and spread out rather than crowd other passengers nearby.

What is BZN Doing to Protect Passengers and Employees:
  • Increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect restrooms and other public areas with cleaning agents intended to kill germs.
  • Airlines have increased the frequency and intensity of efforts to disinfect aircraft and their facilities. 
  • For continuity of operation, The Airport Authority is separating each department into two groups.  The first group will be working the next 14 days with the second group essentially in self quarantine at home.  The two groups will reverse for the 2nd 14 days. 
Dining and Shopping:
BZN’s concessions are making changes to their operations. Concessions outside of security have reduced operating hours or are temporarily closed.  The main restaurant and gift shop inside security will remain open at this time in order to serve our passengers and employees who do not have anywhere else to purchase food or other products. You will also see that tables may be rearranged and chairs removed to maintain social distancing.

Travel Restrictions:
It’s important to be aware of the CDC's current travel advisories. CDC recommends that older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel to most global destinations. CDC also recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to the following destinations.

So far we have not received any information about domestic travel restrictions.

Gallatin County Health Department
The Gallatin City-County Health Department has opened a call center in response to coronavirus (COVID-19). The call center is available from 8 AM to 5 PM (MST), Monday – Friday. For any questions or concerns, you can reach the call center at (406) 548-0123. Non-English speaking options are available. To help alleviate the volume of calls, please consult Gallatin County Health Department website  https://www.healthygallatin.org/coronavirus-covid-19/ as well as DPHHS and CDC for general information about COVID-19.

The Health Department main number (406) 582-3100 is available for all after-hours questions.

Passenger Traffic at BZN:
As airlines continue to reduce their flight schedules, BZN is experiencing a significant reduction in passenger traffic. This week we were down over 50% as compared to the same week in 2019. We expect to see greater reductions next week and into the spring. However, despite these reductions, the airport is still open and flights are still operating.
March 29, 2024
6:47AM
, 3/29/2024